Posted: Jun 10, 2018 2:32 pm
PensivePenny wrote:Skinny... one story (anecdote of questionable origin) that stuck with me was during a sermon, the preacher described one of these elder visits. He said, the elders were invited into the home. Brief pleasantries were exchanged. The men stood in silence in front of a toasty fireplace for a few moments when an elder reached down and using the poker, pulled out a small glowing ember from the hearth. The men stood there for a few moments as the ember slowly cooled and no longer glowed. At that moment, the lost sheep replied, "I'll be there on Sunday."
I had an odd experience. I went to our church 3X a week. Tuesday night was a youth meeting, Friday night was a regular service as well as SUnday. The youth meetings were for the teenagers. One for the guys and one for the gals. We were separated so we could ask any questions without being embarrassed. Any question as long as it was respectfully asked. The reason was that Jesus was there with us... literally. For anyone thinking what the hell! Were you people daft? The justifications is here. Matthew 18:20.
So I asked why God killed so many people, especially kids who knew no sin.
I was shot down in a second! I was told never to question God and to never talk like that again. I was putting evil thoughts into the other guys there and such criticisms were not Christian. They then all prayed for me and that discussion was ended.
The elder running the meeting actually got mad at me, but after praying for me all was forgiven... as long as I kept my mouth shut about that issue.
Sent from my Kindle.